Brewer takes big share of UK market

Nov 13 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

THE world’s biggest brewer said it claimed a bigger share of the UK beer market between July and September after double-digit growth for key brands such as Stella Artois.

Anheuser-Busch InBev - created from InBev’s takeover of Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch - grew UK volumes 3.9% in the third quarter and said it was “clearly outperforming the industry“ despite a 1.9% fall over the nine months as a whole.

The brewer said healthy growth for key beers Stella Artois, Beck’s and Budweiser underpinned trading with new products Stella 4% and Beck’s Vier also performing well.

Although its UK performance was also helped by increased sales and marketing - such as a spoof Stella Artois viral ad shot in the style of TV drama 24 and released earlier this year - the brewer is struggling against declining volumes in most of its markets.

AB InBev said overall volumes of beers and soft drinks fell by 1.2% in the first nine months of 2009, with all markets showing volume falls except Latin America.

The brewer has almost 300 brands but it is concentrating its efforts on names such as Beck’s and Budweiser as well as other beers including Brahma and Skol.